Witch and Wizard Miniatures

New Miniatures in my etsy shop.

2012-01-18T18:11:00.000Z

I've just added some new miniatures to my etsy shop and also a shadow box for the home.

Here is my etsy link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72?ref=si_shop.

All are 1:12 for a dolls house apart from the vintage sewing shadow box.

Potting Bench in my Etsy Shop.

2012-01-08T17:50:00.002Z

I just listed a shabby chic potting bench in my etsy shop. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72

This is my first ever shabby chic miniature and ever so pleased with it. I've made it from scratch and even enamelled the water can and gardening tools, then aged. Think i might from time to time make the odd miniature just like this.

Will also be adding a few new items to my shop later this week. Will post here before i do.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! xxx

Nikki xxx

Sale items in my etsy shop

2011-11-30T16:12:00.001Z

Having a little sale in my etsy shop... here's the link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72

All that is available prior to new listings this evening is reduced.

Few more Miniatures for Etsy this evening.

2011-11-30T12:55:00.000Z

Managed to finish a few little extras to go in etsy this evening. They are all 1:12 scale.

Will add to my etsy shop at 7pm this evening, UK time.

Nikki xxx

Mandrake Crates

Flower Broom

5 more sets of fairy baskets. Available as shown in sets of 3.

New Mini's to add to my Etsy shop tomorrow evening.

2011-11-29T13:46:00.001Z

I managed to make a few mini's last week which i will add to my etsy shop tomorrow evening (Wednesday). Will add to my shop around 7pm UK time.

There is kind of a fairy theme happening here, i didnt realise until i took the photos that ive kind of gone fairy mad recently.

I still have 2 mandrake tables to add to these complete photos, which are a smaller scale than normal. Will add a photo of them at the end when they are in their first stage. They are much further along and just need to add the mandrake now. Plus will add 3 1;12 scale mandrake crates too.

All of these are 1:12 scale.

Fairy baskets, available in sets of 3 as shown.

Acorn birdhouse. Made from real acorn caps and prosculpt clay.

Floor standing candlestick.

Table candlestick.

4 Mandrakes.

Pentacle wreath with Ivy leaves.

Pentacle wreath.

Floor standing Candlestick.

Table Candlestick.

Fairy couture.

Fairy Couture.

Fairy Mushroom, available in sets of 3 as shown.

There are 1;24 mandrake table and further along than the photo is showing. Will be available later this week (maybe early next week) alongside the 1:12 mandrake crates, a witch broom, and some fairy wands.

Pendants and Brooches in my etsy shop

2011-11-16T17:42:00.000Z

Just added a few new items to my etsy shop. Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72

Below are the brooches, pendants and ornaments ive worked on this week. Just fancied a change.

Back to my miniatures tomorrow with lots to complete.

Nikki xxx

Mushroom men for etsy.

2011-11-02T14:58:00.002Z

Im going to add these seven mushroom men to my etsy shop tomorrow about 6pm UK time.

Ive left little wooden sticks at the base so they can be pushed into your own pot or miniature garden scene.

Measurements: This is for the mushroom and not including the wooden stick. The stick is for pushing into a pot or the ground.
Designed to be a witchy pet so a little bigger than my average mushrooms.

A - 1.9 cm
B - 2.4 cm
C - 2 cm
D - 2.4 cm
E - 2 cm
F - 2 cm
G - 2 cm

Nikki xxx

Halloween sale in my etsy shop

2011-10-31T00:22:00.000Z

From today 31st October, until 6pm 1st November i have a 20% discount sale in my etsy shop. When checking out make sure the discount is there on your invoice, if not then add the code HALLOWEENSALE to get the discount.

There is 13 items available, which i found quite spooky!

Happy Halloween! xxx

A few new minis in my etsy shop today.

2011-10-28T14:51:00.001+01:00

I have added a few new mini's and some pendants to my etsy shop today.

Im busy working on some new mushrooms and mandrakes from tomorrow, and hope to be able to add them to my shop late next week.

Heres what is new in my shop.

3 Fairytale Pumpkins

Moon Face Pendant for a necklace

Floral pendant for a necklace

Moon Pendant for a necklace.

3 Golden Fairytale Pumpkins - a light wash of gold to add some sparkle.

5 Fairytale Pumpkins

Ive also been practising sculpting. This lady needs some elf ears hair and a hat and will become a brooch or necklace pendant.

Photos of Minis for my etsy shop this evening.

2011-10-23T15:31:00.002+01:00

Just a few photos of the mini's i will be adding to my etsy shop this evening.

Nikki xxx

Pumpkin Pots

1 Ladybird Broom

2 pumpkins on a stick

Shelf A

Fairytale Pumpkins

Giant Pumpkins

Mushroom Pots A B and C

Pumpkin Birdhouse A B and C

Mandrake A B and C

Shelf B

Shelf C

2 Pumpkins

New mini's to go in my etsy shop

2011-10-23T02:19:00.001+01:00

Will be adding a few items to my Etsy shop today at 9pm Uk time. Its not a lot, but includes, 3 face mushrooms in pots, 3 mandrakes in mossy pots (buckets and watering cans), a broom (ladybird), 2 sets of pumpkins (one fairytale style set), 11 pumpkin pots with faces, 3 bird pumpkin houses (another 2 to add during the week), and 2 pumpkins on sticks. Not had a lot of time to get all i've started finished this week so hoping to add further mini's later next week.... if i get the chance to finish them.

Will pop back late afternoon and add photos. Heres the mushrooms for now before they were painted.

Skele Bottles for etsy this evening

2011-10-13T18:15:00.001+01:00

Will put these skele bottles in my etsy shop this evening at 8pm UK time. Bottle B is not available because its for a friend.

A = 2.4 cm B = 2.6 cm C = 2.4cm D = 2.6 cm E = 2.3 cm F = 2.3 cm G = 2.7 cm
H = 2.4 cm I = 2 cm J = 3 cm K = 2 cm L = 2.3 cm M = 1.8 cm N = 2.3 cm

Nikki xxx

Individual Potion Bottle Photos

2011-10-09T11:06:00.004+01:00

Promised i would pop back and add individual photos this morning. These bottles will be available in my etsy shop from 3pm UK time today.

The Rune labels are hand drawn and painted, the string sewn on and then tied around these polymer and acrylic bottles. They measure between 1.8cm and 3cm and there are 5 bottles per set.

The Bind Rune labels depicts health, wealth, protection, peace and happiness, love, creativity, energy, safe travel, success, and luck.

Bind Runes are made from a combination of individual runic symbols Each Bind Rune will always include 'I' the symbol for 'Isa' as this strenghens and binds the combination.

Bind Runes are powerful amulets which may be used/worn to give the strength and energy to achieve goals. They are regarded as the sacred gift from Odin and remain as elusive now as they were in the days of the Norsemen.

Nikki xxx

Potion bottles for etsy.

2011-10-08T16:28:00.001+01:00

Will put these potion bottles with rune labels in my etsy shop tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm UK time. Will be listing further items later in the week too.
Tomorrow morning i'll pop back here to add better photos and more details. They will be sold available in sets of 5.
The labels are hand drawn and painted, the string sewn on and then tied around these polymer and acrylic bottles. the measure between 1.8cm and 3cm

Nikki xxx

2011-10-06T12:49:00.000+01:00

The past few days i've been busy making Toadstool Cottage, a kit i bought from Petite Properties.
The bottom photo you can see what it started like. Ive mostly covered the house with card from a cereal box and then painted everything.
The house is 1:48 and not difficult to work with like i thought it would be.
You can also see in one of the photos there will be a garden to surround the house, based around the needs of a witch. Plenty of space for pumpkins too and cant wait to get working on the garden.

Think i should have a few days break from the hosue and make some minis for sale. I have a few things made which just need some finishing touches and lots that is half made.

Thank you to everyone that purchased from me when i listed new minis on etsy.

Nikki xxx

Photos for Etsy Tomorrow Evening

2011-09-17T16:59:00.019+01:00

Here's a few photos of what will be available from tomorrow evening in my etsy shop.

Here's my etsy shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nikkinikkinikki72

Free postage on all Miniatures in my etsy shop using 1st Class UK and 1st Class Airmail.
If you require recorded and signed for postage both in the UK and Elsewhere please purchase this separately through my shop. I strongly advise this for large orders.
If not selected your items will be posted 1st class UK and Airmail, any losses or damage in the post are not covered using this service. Using recorded and signed for guarantees a refund for losses and damage.
This only needs to be purchased once regardless of how many items are in one transaction from recent shopping.

Giant to small Pumpkins x 4 per set.
Biggest pumpkin measure on average 5.7cm in width x 3.7cm in height. The smallest is on average 3cm in width and 1.7cm in height.
Made from polymer and acrylics.

Mushroom Baskets.
Here we have a moss lined basket with 10 loose mushrooms.
The basket is not my own (purchased at KDF) but i have moss lined it and handcrafted the mushrooms.The basket measures 2cm in width.

Ladybird Brooms
Each broom measuring on average 12.5cm in height.Made from
polymer clay, metal, silk, paper, and acrylics.

Mandrake Table
The table measures 6.5cm in height, 5.3cm in depth and 12cm in width.The table itself is my own creation..The table shows Mandrakes at various stages of growth, with two sleeping and one peeping. The tools i have rusted up alongside ageing the pots and crates. Materials used are wood, acrylics, polymers, metal, paper, faux soil, stones and moss, cotton, and terracotta.The table is one of my favourite Miniatures to date, and hope you like it just as much!

Pumpkin Friends
Tallest Pumpkin measures 4.5 cm in height to the top leaf. The smallest measures 3.5cm in height to the top leaf.
The leaves are flexible alongside the stems and can be shaped further as to your choice.
Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Pumpkins for a doll to hold or to push into the ground.
Total height is 11.4 cm on average. The sticks will bend and can be shaped further.

11 Pumpkins.

Lopsided Pumpkins A, B and C

Pumpkin measures 2.6 cm in height.
Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Pumpkin 1
Pumpkin measures 3.5 cm in height
Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Pumpkin 2
Pumpkin measures 2.7 cm in height
Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Lady Pumpkin with leaves for hair. Need to take further photos.
Pumpkin measures 3.2 cm in height. The full spread of the leaves are 8.5cm in width looking from the front. This can be altered if desired because the stems are flexible and can be arranged again as desired. They can be bent and waved much more than is showing here.

Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Pumpkins A,B and C

Each Pumpkin measures 2.8 cm in height
Made from Polymer and Acrylics.

Pumpkin Brooms

Broom measuring on average 12.5cm in height.

With pumpkins and their leaves for decoration.Made from polymer clay, metal, paper, and acrylics.

On Monday will carry on working on the Minis showing Below. The garland is coming along well, but had to scrap the wreath which i did wrong and couldnt get it to work. I think one of the mannequins will be a fairy outfit with wings and wand etc, and maybe the other a witch outfit.

Will also be making mandrakes in the coming week, a lot of you have asked me to, and promise i will get them done asap. Some will be loose, some for your own planting, some in buckets, pots and even watering cans and anything else i think of. Some will be sleeping, some yawning, some peeping etc. If you have any ideas im happy to hear them! xxx

Nikki xxx

Etsy Listing this Sunday

2011-09-16T22:21:00.001+01:00

Will be listing several miniatures on Sunday evening in my etsy shop around 8pm UK time.

Will pop back on sunday with the the photos to show what will be available.

Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikkinikkinikki72

Nikki xxx

A Few Mini's Made... Amber and Poppy too!

2011-08-21T19:49:00.004+01:00

The past week i've made a few miniatures, here's a few of what's finished. I also have brooms and mandrakes on the go, though im a bit slow at the moment making them. Once they are done will have a small sale on etsy. I have some trowels and forks in the post so will probably make another mandrake table towards the end of the week.

Fly Argaric Baskets. I've left the mushrooms loose, with 10 mushrooms in each. The baskets measure on average around 2cm in width... the smallest is 1.7cm in width. xxx

These are ginat Pumpkins. The picture below shows them next to my retreat before i painted them. Mixed with the smaller ones they look great and perfect for a garden scene.
Biggest pumpkins measure on average 5.7cm in width x 3.7cm in height. The smallest are on average 3cm in width and 1.7cm in height.The bigger pumpkins are the largest i've gone to date, and they really do look great mixed with the smaller ones, and suitable for 1:12 purposes.

The mandrake table i can not finish until the trowles and forks have arrived in

the post... hopefully they will arrive in the next few days.

Amber are Poppy are still growing... poppy a little faster than Amber! Have been able to take Poppy for walks this week too now she has had all her vacinations. She is loving it so far, and has even been for a swim. She is carried a lot of the walk but once rested is eager to go again.
You can see in one of the photos she is a little magpie, and collects everything from around the house to store in her basket safe away from Amber.
Amber you can see in one of the photos is wearing a cone which she hated and seemed depressed the whole time it was on. Most of her body was swollen in the early hours of the morning last week and had to take her to an emergency vet for an injection to bring the swelling down. Her eyes were really swollen alongside her nose, and she had been scratching them all night before i turned the light on and realised what was wrong with her. Only took a day to clear up so the cone could come off. She is back to her normal, lively and lovely self again now!

Nikki xxx

This is not my blog should you be a follower!

2011-08-15T21:29:00.008+01:00

At the moment there is a blog called http://niksimagecollection.blogspot.com/ that is up and running under the name of one of my old deleted blogs. Just want to make you aware this does not belong to me.
The author somehow can take the followers that were once my own, as their own when they create it, and there is nothing i can do about this.
This was a gallery blog i deleted early this year along with a few others.
The only blog i own that is up and running is this one so you are safe to follow here as always.

I'll pop back and let you know how to remove yourself from a follower of the above blog http://niksimagecollection.blogspot.com/ once i have found out how.

This has also happened to Kat the Hat. Here is Kats one and only blog. http://kat-the-hat-lady-kat-hazelton.blogspot.com/ If you are following any other blog you believe is Kats apart from this one then please be aware it is not hers. Again, Kats only blog is http://kat-the-hat-lady-kat-hazelton.blogspot.com/

I won't worry about it because the blog is in no way connected to me, and they seem to be publishing well, with nothing there for me to worry about. What i dont understand is how they can set it up and instantly take followers from a deleted blog. It's wrong this person is tricking people into following various blogs, covering various topics from several people and posing as individuals in and effort to get an instant audience and further expand on that through innocent people, but i know there is nothing i can do.
I reckon they are doing this to various old blogs and making money through links. They could have hundreds from various people that have deleted unwanted blogs. With hundreds of blogs and links within links etc they could be earning quite a bit each month.

Heres how to remove yourself as a followers from the link above:

Go to Manage Blogs in your Dashboard, scroll down till you find the blog you want to remove, click Settings on the right hand side, sign in (if you need to or it requests you to) and select Stop Following and Save. You will no longer receive posts in your Dashboard etc.

New Puppy Poppy, Mandrakes and other bits!

2011-08-10T12:49:00.003+01:00

Amber and Poppy in my craft room. These are there own chairs and they sit and watch me while i work.

The first day we had Poppy... she has grown loads since!

I've had to strip all these plants and dig them out. Poppy was chewing everything and was worried some could be poisonous. Its kind of a plus because want to change the garden next year and so now have it totally cleared. Really love this photo!

A Couple of weeks ago we brought home our second Puppy Poppy. She is now almost 12 weeks and has settled in well. She is a Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel and so some her of white areas will turn more grey over time. Poppy and Amber had some serious puppy fights at first but over time this has reduced and now they mostly play and share. Will be able to take Poppy for walks with Amber at the start of next week now she has had her second vaccinations. She's such a cutie and has a nice little character when not squabbling with Amber. Also her curls have started to come in which i just adore!

I've not had too much time for minis but when possible have done a little work here and there. Here's a mandrake table i should complete soon! Since this photo i have added the mandrakes.
Will also be making some in pots, watering cans and similar available for sale soon! Plus plan to make some mandrake pendants and brooches.

I've also bought myself the Retreat Kit, and turning this into a witch style building. I plan to call it Pumpkin Cottage or similar. The kits comes so that it opens from the front but this wasn't suited to my plans so have made it so it opens from the back. So far not done much and can see many hours ahead of me with this.... but promising myself i finish this one.

Normally I'm petrified to go to big with Pumpkins, but now i have the retreat as a guide its made me more confident to go bigger. Here's the start of 5 larger versions to make a pumpkin patch... will have these for sale shortly. Looking at them next to the retreat i think i can go even bigger and perhaps make one with a face too.

Nikki xxx

Sale on etsy Tomorrow evening.

2011-07-19T18:16:00.008+01:00

After much fussing with photos and a bad Internet connection, I've managed to sort all i have made for a sale on etsy tomorrow.

Need to add a photo of the small pumpkin's jars still - Photo seems to have vanished.

Not everything is miniature, some are for the home or for wearing. I hope you like them.

Its been fun making everything and happy to be back making Miniatures again.

Will be Putting everything in my shop after 7pm tomorrow evening UK time (Wednesday). I will list a new item every 10 minutes

Nikki xxx

Mandrakes E - I

Mandrakes A-D

Pendant Necklace - I have two of these available.

Pumpkin Set A - I have another two sets to show still.

Pumpkin Set B

Pumpkin Set C

Potion Bottles

Necklace Pendant - Not a Miniature

1:12 Dolls House Fly Argaric wall Plaques - I have 4 of these.

Necklace Pendant - Not a Miniature

Wall Plaque - Not A Miniature - For the Home

Unicorn Horns - I have 3 sets of these.

Rejects/Seconds - I'm not happy with these nor the colouring, so selling reduced in the set of three.

Patricks Prom

2011-06-24T13:53:00.000+01:00

It's my son Patrick's prom tonight. He will be getting ready at a friends, so had to take these photos this morning.
Along with several friends they have booked a stretch limo to take them to the venue.
Afterwards he's off to a party and wont see him until tomorrow. Hope the prom is wonderful for him, and also the party afterwards.

Amber pic and mini's

2011-06-21T10:42:00.002+01:00

I don't seem to blog much, i know, but hoping to be a little more active soon. I did have a little splurge on making minis and almost have them ready, but its not much. Going to try and do some work for the rest of the week while i have the creative feeling again, lol.

Forgot to tell you all i went to KDF in May and had a fab day out with a few of the mini ladies here from blogland and facebook. Really was a wonderful day and laughed non stop. A fantastic group of ladies and hope to do it again soon!
I didnt buy much, just a few little bits for some planned mandrakes and potions etc.
We then went out for dinner and drinks with Jain of giddykipper and Julie of bellabelle dolls. Got home really late too.

That's me in the middle, Kat the Hat and Carlanne on my left, and Wendi and Joolz on my right.

A few new photos of Amber too. Shes a lovely little pup and always on the go, then flops and sleeps again ready for the next round. She really hates walking on a lead, but in the woods loves to walk free without one, she doesn't venture far while off the lead and constantly checks where we are. She makes me laugh all the time and couldn't be without her now, shes just like a child really, lol.
As you can see in one of the photos the kids decided to dress her up in their baby clothes... poor little thing in her bonnet, lol.

Nikki xxx

Puppy Update!

2011-05-29T11:41:00.003+01:00

Thank you for everyones nice comments on the previous post. We have decided to call her Amber.She is so sweet and I'm totally and madly in love with her. The kids are being really good with her too, they play with her all the time and even clean up after her. She runs around everywhere like a little lamb and is so full of energy, then all of a sudden flops and sleeps again.
Taking her to the vets on wednesday, im a little worried she looks underweight. I think for 10 weeks she should be a little fuller around the middle. My friend thinks she looks fine but for a puppy thats still young i'm unsure. I dont want her to get fat, so sticking carefuly to the recommended amount of food she should have for her breed and age.
She goes to the toilet outside much more than in, and asks to go out most of the time.
But at night time she cries and cries on her own and we are all far to soft to leave her so she learns. I put her basket on my floor next to the bed and she then sleeps soundly. I think i prefer it that way anyway. Last night all of us were really sad listening to her so up she came. As soon as she saw me she settled, got in her basket and went stright to sleep. I could never leave babies crying either, its just a horrid noise.

I bought a crate for her to sleep in at night, but she hates it. So for now she still has her cardboard box bed. Mind she she loves to chew it so might wait a while to buy her a proper one.

Our New Little Puppy

2011-05-26T07:20:00.000+01:00

Our new little puppy. She is almost 10 weeks old, and we picked her up last night. We didnt get home with her until very late and the kids even though they are all teenagers were so excited. They went to bed much later than normal and the second they did she just flopped and slept most of the night. She started off in her temporary basket but half and hour later was up again, so i let her lay on my chest all night which she seemed to love. She slept so well she snored no end and kept me awake doing so. Im going out to get her a new basket later and hope she continues to settle in with us as well as she seems to be so far. She even barked to tell me she wanted to go out for the loo in the garden this morning, so thats a really good sign.
She is sleeping with Patrick in the photos, they got up earlier than normal to spend some time with her before they went to school.

Fairy House Tile.

2011-05-04T23:48:00.000+01:00

Im kind of addicted to making tiles and plaques at the moment and so today started this one. Lots to do still and then lots of painting. Once i finish this tile, i plan to back it onto a sqaure tile, then frame whats here with pebbles and such all made from clay too. I think its going to be lovely! The pebbles will be kind of like those showing in the previous post.

Talking of the previous post ive had a few requests to make the mushroom plaques in miniature, and promise i will get round to them once ive finished this one.

Heres the fairy house so far.... lots to do still

Nikki xxx

Fly Argaric Art.

2011-05-02T23:26:00.001+01:00

I love mushrooms so decided to make these today. Fly Argarics are my fave too. The rectangle one measures roughly 4 inches x 3 inches. I've made them with polymer clay.
They need a little bit of paint still, and need to fill the white dots on the mushrooms a little more.
Tomorrow i'll sort their string so they can hang. Will pop in my etsy shop along with a few minis when I'm more organised.

Nikki xxx

Magical Creations by my friend Eva

2011-05-01T23:39:00.000+01:00

Thought i would share with you some of the magical creations by my friend Eva from Barcelona Spain and her wonderful little works of art. Her work always makes me smile because it just seems to say Happy!
Eva has also started making beautiful Shabby Chic miniatures.

Heres Evas Blog link: http://mini-escenas.blogspot.com/

Heres Evas Etsy shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Evamini?ref=seller_info

Beaded Up!

2011-04-29T18:58:00.000+01:00

Forgot to post the photos yesterday of the finished pendants now beaded up. Here is one of them. I've finished all of them, including my own exactly the same.

They can all be adjusted with the use of the knots... kind of a slip knot i suppose, although i dont know the name for this kind of adjustable knot.

Nikki xxx

Two More Fairy Door Pendants

2011-04-26T19:26:00.001+01:00

Thank you for all your nice compliments in the previous post about the fairy door pendants, its much appreciated. Got to think up some further designs based around a witch or wizard door... maybe a broom, potion, candle etc.

Decided to make another three for my etsy shop, and have also been makng the beads for these today. Sadly i wasn't happy with the third one because the clay work wasn't as good, ill keep it for myself and use on a felt bag ive almost completed. Its a poppy bag you can see on my other blog http://thehappyfelter.blogspot.com/ and i reckon they will go together really well. You might need to go back a page or two to see it.

Here's the three before painting.

And here's the two that turned out well. They are much nicer than the original one that I'm keeping for myself.
They have a slight metallic finish to them, although just a little hint, yet can not get this to show to well in the photos.

They measure 4.5cm in width.

Nikki xxx

Prop, Pumpkins and Fairy Door Pendant.

2011-04-24T18:40:00.001+01:00

Yesterday i put together a prop for taking photos of larger items of work such as tables. Terrible photo though!
I still need to make something suitable for smaller items. I threw out my old prop when i made the daft decison a while back to stop making mini's and could kick myself now.

Here's the pumpkins so far... just need to paint the tops now and add the eyes to those with faces. The smaller ones need stoppers and tops added too.
Still not started the cheese although i plan to asap.

Last night while watching TV decided to make myself a fairy door pendant. Will string this up later with some handmade beads and leather. When i started this i was unsure if it would work or not, but now its complete couldn't be more happy with it. Keeping this one for myself because i love it so much, but do plan to make a few for my etsy shop, maybe some witch versions too or wizard (if possible, lol).

Nikki xxx

Busy making Pumpkins and Cheese

2011-04-17T20:05:00.000+01:00

Busy making Pumpkins and Cheese. The pumpkins are much larger than what i normaly make, although not too big! They still suit 1:12 perfectly. Some have faces, some with have just the stalk at the top and others will have leaves and a stalk. Ive tried to make the shapes of each less balanced to make them look more of a natural shape although this is proving difficult for those with faces... will keep trying. I think its me being too neat a person that stops this happening, so trying my hardest to be more free and go with what happens.

I'm also making cheese as showing in the second pic... nothing much to show other than blobs for the cheese so far. Making Cheddars, Stilton, red Leicester, various crumby cheeses, and other British cheeses not so well know. Plus some British cheese with cranberries and the like. Some of the cheese will be for a friend but i do plan to sell a few batches myself. I've not made cheese for years in miniature and last time i made them my skill were much less so hopefully these will be better than those i made years ago. Will start thinking about these more tomorrow once Ive finished shaping the pumpkins.

Kind of found it difficult to get back into working with clay. It was almost like id forgot how to do stuff, but slowly its coming back to me. Getting used to my tools again and remembering how i worked in the past will take time i suppose. I made the little bits and bobs in the background to get used to this again.

Will pop back in a few days when I'm further along.

Nikki xxx

sdsdsds

Wizard Shop by Dennis Nordman.... Wow!

2011-04-06T18:00:00.001+01:00

A beautiful and amazing Wizard shop to show today by a lovely man called Dennis Nordman.
I believe he will be at the Chicago show this week if you are in the States and able to go.
Dennis has given me permission to show his work here, and let you all know at the moment the only way to view his work is on facebook. Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_168539653196284&id=177178322332417#!/profile.php?id=100000921607250&sk=info
If you don't have a facebook account you will need to sign up for one to see more of his fantastic work.

Working with clay!

2011-03-29T18:46:00.000+01:00

Have been cleaning and sorting my craft room all day and now have my paints, brushes, oils, pastels and best of all clay back out again, plus a few other bits and bobs. Ive missed my clay days and so tonight will be mixing and preparing ready to make a few pumpkins and some of my old favourites. I might be a while making them but will pop back with little updates now and again.

I'm still going to be felting and doing my spinning as show on my other blog: http://thehappyfelter.blogspot.com/ But i decided i missed making minis and will now do a mix of the three together. I'll pop some in my etsy shop when i have them ready but will let you all know in advance before i do.

I know i must sound mad after saying id given them up but the last two weeks I've been itching to resort my craft room and sit and sculpt again. I wont be taking commissions and will just be working at my own pace.

Nikki xxx

Deb Jackson on Etsy

2011-03-07T14:57:00.001Z

I was just browsing through etsy and noticed Deb Jackson's has an etsy shop. Have always loved her work and have been lucky to see it up close at shows. Here's the etsy shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/debjacksondesigns?ref=seller_info
Showing here is a Society of Arts Penny Colour Box, vanity vignette and atrepanning set, Doctor/medical/surgeon. There are also other equally as fantastic minis in her shop.

Julies Giant on Etsy!

2011-03-05T13:20:00.001Z

My friend Julie Campbell from Bellabelle Dolls has just listed Wilbur the Friendly Giant in her Etsy shop. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69382761/wilbur-the-friendly-giant

Ive seen Wilbur in person and he really is an amazing giant and hope he goes to a good home. He is a 1:12 miniature and is to scale even though he is a giant miniature. Good luck with your sale Julie!

Julie is also a member of IGMA and gained the Artisan status in 2009.
Here's what Julie has to say about him.

Wilbur is a friendly Giant, with a very loveable face ! He is 13 inches tall and sculpted from polymer clay. He has poseable limbs and is dressed in cotton and leather hand sewn clothing.
Wilbur has been painted with genesis heat set oils for permanence.
Truly one of a kind, Wilbur will not be repeated and no molds were made or used during his creation.

Wilbur

One way to make grass for mini gardens.

2011-03-03T10:51:00.004Z

Decided this morning to do a quick tutorial for needle felting grass for miniature gardens.
Ive used a blue felt for the base so you can see the difference just for tutorial purposes.

All you need is.

Needle felting needles - ive used a multi needle felt tool. Its basically 4 needles in one tool and makes needle felting quicker. These are available on etsy, ebay and felting websites. They are also available to hold more needles
Here's a link so you know what i mean: http://www.etsy.com/search/supplies?shopname=Nikkinikkinikki72&q=needle+felting+tool&page=1 Look around though because you can pick them up really cheap.

Sponge. I bought this from a felting supplier but you could use upholstery foam or even a car washing sponge.
You can also get needle felting brushes, kind of like a large square brush. These are again available at the sites previously mentioned. But using the upholstery or car washing sponge will keep the cost down.
Here's a link to the brush. http://www.etsy.com/search/supplies?q=needle+felting+brush

Wool Merino tops. Here's a link to what i mean both on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/search/supplies?q=merino+tops Look for the cheapest you can get. There are sellers on ebay and etsy that sell packs with various colour. Look for single dyed tops if you want larger amounts of each. It doesn't have to be merino wool tops. Other breeds of sheep provide coarser fibres if preferred.
Its difficult for me to determine how much you would need. I would say 50g - 100g in weight would be enough to cover a 24 x24 inches piece of felt... probably much much more.

Piece of green felt. Thin as you can get it. You can buy the felt in most fabric shops and online

Placing the tops on the back of the felt and stabbing with the needles to make the fibres go through to the other side. Using three shades of green, but little flecks of a dark blue here and there would also be great!

Ive used the blue felt just for tutorial purposes, use a green felt piece when doing so or even brown.

Close ups to show you what can be achieved.

To make the grass use a piece of felt that's bigger than your planned area to cover. Kind of cut to the shape needed, but just a little bigger. Doesn't have to be perfect at this point.

Place the felt over the sponge and pull apart wool tops and place over. Try and use two or three shades for a subtle difference. Use mostly a dark green, with little hints of two other lighter greens here and there.

Start to stab the wool with your needle felting tool all over to hold in place. Doing so will make the fibres come through to the other side. Once all held in place with a few stabs here and there you then have to keep the tool going and stabbing down. I must have stabbed down about 100 times for small little patch showing in my photos.
Work from the middle of your felt outwards all the way around. The felt should shrink a little which is why i suggested cut the felt a little bigger to start with. Once you feel you have covered the area to the size required cut the felt to shape. Then place upside down again and just needle felt the edge all the way round.
You can then glue this in place.

I think this would be great if mixed in with soil and stones or even in tiny small amounts to represent moss.

The final piece is the reverse side effects of needle felting. Felters would use the side they have been stabbing into. Ive always been fascinated with the wrong side of needle felting and really do think its absolutely wonderful miniature grass.

Been absent some time!

2011-02-20T16:21:00.000Z

Ive kept meaning to pop back here and show what i have been doing recently. I still check in here daily and still follow the blogs on my list.

Have been learning to spin, dye, sew and further learn with felting. Heres a few pics of my learning.
Over the last few days ive started to list in my etsy shop what ive made over the past month, and glad to say i have already had 3 sales. I still need to list more this evening and tomorrow. You can see all the photos on my felting blog in more depth, heres the link: http://thehappyfelter.blogspot.com/

Little wooden bezels on etsy link. A must see!

2011-01-18T15:14:00.001Z

While i am no longer making miniatures, thought i would still share miniature info as and when i can.

Here is a link to the shop called brightcolourart: http://www.etsy.com/shop/brightcolorart?ref=seller_info

Yesterday i was browsing etsy searching for metal, stone and wooden bezels i can use in felting to display miniature art, even jewellery and buttons to use on my felting i came accross these beautiful bezels that can be used for miniatures and in particular food or even witches potion scenes. So i have contacted the seller and asked if i could post here, which they were happy with.
The bezels are various sizes/shapes and made from mahogany, cherry wood, purpleheart and various other woods. They are beautifully made and the scale and thickness of each piece is perfect for 1;12 miniatures.

Here is the link to the etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/brightcolorart?ref=seller_info called brightcolorart

Change is good - Something im ready to tell you!

2011-01-13T00:39:00.001Z

Recently ive been toying with switching from the miniatures i normally make, and moving totally over to felting and other crafts. Felting pulls at me more than miniatures and has become something that is set deep in my heart. On a daily basis i think about working on my miniatures, but the interest is not there. For quite some time they have been a love hate relationship. While i enjoy seeing them complete i don't enjoy actually making them any more. Up until just before Christmas i still put the same amount of effort in and still wanted the same quality finish, but my love for making them had long gone.
I'm proud of what i achieved with them, perhaps i will still make them now and again, but i like to follow my instincts and so i think thats what i'll do and see where it takes me. Life is an adventure and change is good. I want to see new things, go to new places and see where i end up.
This decison i have not made in a hurry. For a few months these have been my thoughts, each morning as ive woke ive thought what do i want and where am i going with this and each morning ive had the same answer.
So tonight i have found the strength to tell you all.

I will keep this blog, and still read all the blogs i follow, but will from now on be focussing mostly on my felting and felting blog. Plus the biggest part of this blog is all the friends i have here, friends that are very dear to me and hoepfully always will be.

Id like to thank everyone that has always supported me, sent gifts, parcels of supplies, given encourangement, ideas and helped where they could. Thank you to all my customers most of whom have become friends, and thank you also to all my blog followers for putting up with my constant typing errors, waffling posts and refusal to spell check.
I will still be going to Kensington show but only as a visitor. In the morning i need to find the strenght to phone and cancel my table there.

In a short while i will list my last few miniatures on etsy. Maybe in a week or so. I also have supplies i will send out to many of you to help with your own mini's.

Thank you and love to you all!!!

Nikki xxx

Here is my felting blog if you would like to visit there. http://thehappyfelter.blogspot.com/

And something im currently working on. Ignore the pins for now, its still a work in progress!

Merry Christmas and Gifts! xxx

2010-12-20T19:51:00.000Z

Merry Christmas to all! Wishing you all have a lovely time!

My internet connection keeps going which is why I'm a little early with this. So today it will have to be incase its not working over the next few days. Plus going to my mums for Christmas and wont have an internet connection once there.

I'm ever so late showing these gifts which arrived last week. Each of them were sent as surprises and all arrived on the same day. Really was a lovely morning. Thank you!

Ever so cute and tiny Santa form Julie at http://cottagekittyminiatures.blogspot.com/

Such a lovely surprise. Thank you so much Julie xxx

Christmas decorations and mini supplies form Ewa at http://thesunnyhours112miniatures.blogspot.com/
So cute and they look fab on the tree! Thank you Ewa xxx

Sabine from Germany (one of my customers) parcel was the third to arrive. I've been very good and not opened these yet and saving for Christmas day. Thank you ever so much Sabine! xxx

If you have emailed in the last few days and not heard back from me yet its because of my internet connection. Ill try and get through them this evening.

Nikki xxx

The finished Igloo... so cool!

2010-12-02T16:07:00.002Z

The finished Igloo - Have spent 6 hours today making this with Patrick. We're going out there later with hot chocolate and rugs... i wont be staying long because its freezing. We cheated with the roof and put lots of wood accross and plastic sheeting.

Patrick in the new abode. Decided id had enough of being cold and so staying in! Nobody else will go out and sit either.

Lovely Snow and Igloo!

2010-12-02T13:01:00.000Z

Busy today helping my son Patrick build an Igloo. Got to tell you its hard work and realling tiring, and only half way through yet. Heres a pic half way through and will pop back tonight when we have finished. We're going to make little alcoves for candles too and a chimney. Hoping the roof doesnt cave in, lol.

The Ornament Reveal at Marsha's Blog

2010-12-01T09:52:00.003Z

Marsha at http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/ hosted a Christmas Decoration Exchange, and today all the decorations are there to see on her virtual Christmas tree There were several participants so its great to see everything together on the tree. Towards the bottom of the post there are links and images to everyones blog that took part and all the gifts.

Heres the gift i sent to my partner Moriah at http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com/

Heres what Moriah sent to me, They are absolutely beautiful and had a wonderful time with this exchange. Thank you Marsha for orgainising and thank you Moriah for being a wonderful swap partner. xxx

Here in the UK we have snow at the moment. My son Patrick built this snowman yesterday... so cute!
Perfect to bring on that Christmas feeling!
Its still snowing and so far is a few inches thick.

The snow yesterday!

The snow this morning.

Been felting again!

2010-11-25T11:27:00.000Z

Instead of doing the gardening yesteday as planned, lol, i tried to make another nuno scarf, but this time so the nuno effect would be scattered here and there throughout the scarf in little patches. I used too much wool and lost what i wanted, but it's still a nice scarf and more than happy with the colour and texture.
I did however get the length right. I wanted this to be a short scarft worn held together with a brooch. Now it's complete i think a felted flower brooch would be most suited, so will make that later today.
Here's a link to my fleting blog so you can see the nuno scarf i made earlier this year. http://thehappyfelter.blogspot.com/

Gift arrived for Marsha's Ornament Exchange!

2010-11-23T10:19:00.004Z

Marsha at http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/ is hosting a Christmas Decoration Exchange, and on 1st December all the exchanges will be there to see on her virtual Christmas tree. Make sure you check it out on that date. There were several participants so will be great to see everything together on the tree.

My swap partner is Moriah at http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com/ and today the ornament... well ornaments arrived and here they are!

Isn't she gorgeous? I love her Moriah, but she is too good to go on the tree and will hang her with some nice angel lights over my work space. I'm always in this room so will get to see her the whole time and enjoy her more.
I love jointed dolls more so than sculpted without the joints visible and especially love her outfit! I'd secretly love to dress like this!

This decoration is called a Dunderhead and love him. He measures just under 7cm in width and is as light as a feather. His eyes are amazing and my photo really does not do him justice
Thank you loads Moriah and glad the parcel arrived. Was getting worried it had got lost. xxx

Here is Moriahs etsy link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dunderheads There's lots of other Dunderheads currently available. Here's two examples.

Moriah also sent me some mini supplies and some teeny tiny... ever so teeny tiny small charms too. The key is the smallest i've seen and so is the lock. Thank you Moriah

Louis Armstrong - When You're Smiling - Some music for the day

2010-11-18T09:54:00.000Z

Children In Need Auction by Julia. Learning with books too. Thank you Kat!

2010-11-17T15:41:00.005Z

Charity Auction

Julia at http://bearcabinminiatures.blogspot.com currently has a charity auction for children in need on ebay.

Here is the link to the auction http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Christmas-Chair-and-Little-Bear-Charity-Auction-/260692964433?pt=UK_Dolls_House_Miniatures&hash=item3cb282f451
The auction ends 19 Nov 2010 at 19:55 GMTAnd here is the beautiful chair and bear!
Good luck Julia with your auction. The whole amount raised will be given to children in need. Here is a link to children in need: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/

Thank you!

Kat the Hat at http://katthehatlady.blogspot.com/ sent me some wonderful items to use on my books. I love the frog and will try and make a slimed frog book. The spiders i can use like some of the books showing in previous posts, and add a nice sparkly gem to the centre. Thank you Kat! xxx
I'll use the cogs and watch parts for some steampunk books and also for something else i have planned... may work, may not, lol!!!

The Learning Part.

Ive also been busy learning to make books. This one showing here took me six hours to get right. Ive not made much, but enjoying learning how. Hopefully now i am more in the know and able to work a bit quicker will be able to have some available for sale soon.
This one doesn't open, although I'll try and make some that do... hopefully... fingers and toes crossed!

The witch without a broom and a piggy instead! Lemon muffins too.Kats new hats also!

2010-11-14T17:00:00.008Z

My friend Debie Lyons over at http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/ Has just shows her latest amazing new work on facebook and her blog. Please pop over there for a look.
I know the witch and the pig are for sale, not sure where or how, maybe Debie will let us know through her blog. Ill update here once i know the info.

Check out my friends Kat the Hat new hats. Here Kats blog link: http://katthehatlady.blogspot.com/
Not sure when they are for sale, but im sure Kat will say when on her blog.

Heres the most yummy lemon curd muffin recipe ever. My son patrick just made some and they are to die for.

http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/lemon-curd-marble-muffins-recipe_p_1.html

Incase you cant access the site heres the the recipe.

Hugh: "These are indulgent and delicious, but also very quick and easy to make. I sometimes replace 100g of the flour with 125g ground almonds, and add a few drops of almond extract to the mix, to create lemony frangipane muffins – these are lovely served warm, with cream, as a pudding. If lemon curd isn’t your thing, try one of the variations below – the chocolate muffins are always popular with kids."
Makes about 12
Ingredients

* 225g plain flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* A good pinch of sea salt
* 100g caster sugar
* 1 medium egg
* 125g plain yoghurt
* 125ml whole milk
* 75g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
* 150g lemon curd

Method: How to make lemon curd marble muffins

1. Put 12 large paper cases into a muffin tray. Put the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar in a large bowl and whisk lightly to aerate and combine.

2. Mix the egg, yoghurt, milk and melted butter together in a jug. Pour them into the dry ingredients and mix lightly, stopping as soon as everything is combined – it’s essential not to over-mix or you’ll get dense, cakey muffins.

3. Spoon a some mixture into each muffin case and top with a generous ½ teaspoonful of lemon curd. Add a final spoonful of muffin mixture to encase the lemon curd and three-quarters fill the cases.

4. Bake in an oven preheated to 180°C/gas mark 4 for about 30 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Eat on the day you bake them, ideally while still slightly warm.
Variation: jammy muffins

Replace the lemon curd with your favourite jam, first beating it lightly to soften slightly. Thick, fruity jams work best – a strawberry jam containing whole strawberries is perfect.
Variation: chocolate marble muffins

Replace the lemon curd with 150g chocolate hazelnut spread (warm it gently first, so it’s easier to marble).
Variation: fruity muffins

Replace the lemon curd with 1 large, or 2 small ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed; or 75g blueberries; or 75g stoned and halved cherries; or 75g raisins or other dried fruit, such as chopped dried apricots. Stir the fruit into the mixture lightly and quickly, just before piling into the cases.

Kind of Steampunk books!

2010-11-14T14:17:00.002Z

The books are not leather, cant tell you what because you never know where Witchy Wondercrap could be lurking, poking her nose where it doesn't belong and pinching her way around the mini world, selling them off as her OOAK creations and Witchy Wonders!

Sorry about that, just couldn't help myself!!!

Spent far too much time trying to make these, fiddling through drawers for missing supplies and trying upon trying to remember where i put all my cogs and gears and clock hands too. I'm sure ill find them if i have a tidy up! lol

I cant make the skull books look right and not happy with them yet, I'll try a few more things and see how they turn out. Maybe i just need to add some little charms or something.

My Christmas Gift for the Swap.

2010-11-09T09:52:00.004Z

Its safe to show you my gift now for the Christmas Decoration Swap ran by Marsha at http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/ because it has arrived with my partner. Here's a link to my swap partner Moriah at http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com/ I love Moriahs work, its amazing!

For some days i played around with trying to make a large candle with an elecrtic tealight inserted that flickered. I wanted the candle to have a face similar to my miniature candles but more detailed. I tried and tried for days, each step kept going wrong and in the end gave up. I know it would have been lovely but really struggled to work in such a large scale.

So i made a stocking instead. The candycanes and gingerbread are polymer clay. The foil wrapped sweets can be eaten. I dyed the material myself and used my mini sewing machine (£30 one in previous posts to sew it together... great machine).

Next year i'll try for that candle again!

My Friend Debie's New Doll.

2010-11-08T01:16:00.004Z

My Friend Debie Lyons at http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/ has a new fab doll available for sale through her blog. Here's the link to the blog page for sales. http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/p/dolls-for-sale.html
I didn't realise Debie had set up this page with paypal buttons and only found out this evening.

Here's the newest creation! Isn/t she fab. She is a 1:12 doll and is named The Toe Collector. Looks like she has a few trolls toes in her apron!

Listing on etsy this evening.

2010-11-07T14:42:00.015Z

All the measurements have now been added.
By the way, i am still lsitening to Rebecca from last night. I must have played it hundreds of times by now i love it that much! I'm addicted and can't stop!

Will be listing the mini's showing here in my etsy shop this evening 9pm UK time.
I will pop back later and add the measurements and further details after ive cooked dinner, probably about 6-7pm.

Face Pumpkin Pots A, B and C
A, B ad C measure 2.1cm in height.

Candles A and B
Set A - The tallest candle is 2.8cm, the smallest is 1.8cm
Set B - The tallest candle is 2.6cm, the smallest is 1.8cm

Candy Canes.
These measure roughly 1.3cm in length.

Teapots A and B.
A measures 2cm in height. B is 2cm.

Pumpkin Pots A to F
A measures 1.1cm in height. B is 1cm. C is 2.1c. D is 1.4. E is 2cm. F is 1.4cm.

Dragon Bottles A to I
The tallest F measures 2.3cm in height. The smallest I measures 1.6cm in height.

Pumpkins A to G
A measures 3cm in height. B measures 2.3 cm in height and is 3cm in length. C is 2.4cm in height and 3cm in length. D measures 3.2cm in height.
E is 2.5cm in height. F is 3cm. G is 2.7cm

Wobbly potion bottles A to E

The tallest in set A is 3.2, the smallest is 2.5cm.
The tallest in set B is 3.5, the smallest is 2.6cm.
The tallest in set C is 3.2, the smallest is 2.8cm.
The tallest in set D is 3.8, the smallest is 2.9cm.
The tallest in set E is 3.0, the smallest is 2.5cm.

That girl sends shivers through me when she sings!

2010-11-06T21:54:00.008Z

Every Saturday i can never wait to hear Rebecca Ferguson from Liverpool sing on The X Factor.
Tonight she, as always blew me away! I simply adore this girl and could listen to her forever... and a day!
Here's a link to the site and Rebecca singing this week - She sends shivers through me!
http://xfactor.itv.com/2010/videos/video/watch_live-show-5-rebecca-ferguson_item_201359.htm

Heres a link to this also on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOME7clBp-8

Ive never voted on this show in past years but this girl makes me vote over and over regardless of the fact i can't afford to. She sends shivers through me.
Going to create a link in the next week in my sidebar so you can listen to her every week. Ive played this song over and over since she sang much earlier this evening, just cant stop it playing... so beautiful! It also makes me cry and smile, lots!!
I also love Matt Cardle (below). Who's your fave?

Heres a link to Matt this week too... amazing!
http://xfactor.itv.com/2010/videos/video/watch_live-show-5-matt-cardle_item_201361.htm

Chocolate and tools i use all the time.

2010-11-06T18:09:00.007Z

Been cooking lots today and decided to make Nigella's Sweet And Salty Crunch Nut Bars.
Here's what i made with my son Patrick... totally yummy!

Here's a link to how they are made: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v37l6

If you can't watch it then here's what you need.

2 Milk chocolate bars - cooks size (forget the weight)
1 Dark Chocolate bar - cooks size (forget the weight)
4 crunchy bars, chopped up
2 tablespoons golden syrup
Butter - half the pack
Salted peanuts - how ever many you want.

Melt the chocolate and butter, turn the heat off and add the golden syrup. Break up 4 crunchy bars (chocolate honeycomb) tip into the chocolate mix and add as many peanuts as you think looks right.
Pour into a tinfoil tray, or a dish lined with tinfoil (i buttered the tinfoil), spread around and allow to set.
I really think this would be even nicer with popping candy sprinkled over the top... will do that next time! Or eve mini marshmallows pushed in the top and drizzled with white chocolate or toffee.
Its totally delicious... not good for the waistline though!

TOOLS

Thought i would Share with you my favourite tools and what i use each for.
A - My friend Lisa sent these in a mixed set of tools. I use them for creating holes, smoothing clay, making the holes in the necks of bottles and also for painting.
B - My friend Lisa sent these in a mixed set of tools. I use them for creating holes, smoothing clay, making the holes in the necks of bottles and also for painting.
C - My friend Lisa sent these in a mixed set of tools. Small drill - Really good for drilling into warm baked clay - when drilling in cold clay there is more chance of breakage - straight out of the oven is better.
D - My friend Lisa sent these in a mixed set of tools. Kind of hard to explain what i use this for. the top end i use to smooth the inside of mouths such as the skele bottles and the bottom is use to cut further into clay that has already been precut with a blade.
E - My friend Lisa sent these in a mixed set of tools. The top pointed end i use to create the start of eyeball holes or created a pricked texture. I also use it for glue dots or holding onto my bottle tops.
F The top end i use for blending and smoothing noses on my pumpkin faces. The bottom end is broken.
G - One of my most used tools and used daily - i use this for glue dots, sculpting, making really small holes and painting. This is a porcupine quill.
H - round head rubber tipped sculpting tools. I use these daily for sculpting and shaping in almost everyhting i make. They can be rolled to smooth clay, they can drag and smooth clay, they make nice texture by prodding and i also make holes with them. The white tipped is the softest with the black being the hardest.
The handles finish on these have reacted against polymer clay. Ive sanded them because of this and really i need to fully strip them so its just the wood left. Ive thought about removing the handles and making some from polymer so i don't have this problem. The polymer makes the handle coating sticky over time and the colour comes off on my hands, which then can dirty the clay. But apart from that they are the best tools ever.
I - Blade
J - Blade
K - Dragon scale tool - This is my newest tool and as yet not made anything with it, but ive given it a test and it really is wonderful the pattern it makes.
L - soft brush. I use this for smoothing polymer clay - smoothing with a brush isn't instant but you just brush back and forwards.
M - i use this for mixing polymer clay into liquid polymer clay.
N - This is a cake decorating tool. I mostly use it for making holes with the pointed end. The holes i like with this tool because they have smoother edges and are are slightly concave. The other end ive used for making pots and bowls and rolling the clay.
O - Stencil brush from my friend Lisa - i use this for stippling clay and creating a rough texture.
P - This is a pellet/nut drill from a fishing tackle shop. I need to get a new one because this is broken. The best make to get is ESP because they are the strongest.
Nut drills from tackled shops are 0.8mm. Pellet drills are 1.2 mm.
You can also buy small drill bits and attach to predrilled handles.
I use this for drilling warm clay, balsa wood, soft woods and whatever else.
Q - Forgot the name of this from the wool shop. I use this for most of the above.
R - Needles - i use these for sculpting and tiny holes. I have various sizes. Round tipped darning needles are great for sculpting.

Rubber tipped tools - I use these in nearly everything i make. They are the most useful tools ever and couldn't be without them.

Porcupine Quill - I got this at miniatura a few years ago. You kind of have to pick from the pot which suits you best. Know that sounds daft but no two are totally alike.
I had to sand the pointed end of this a little because it had a rough ridge on one side.

Not really a tool but more of an aid. Very quickly made from polymer clay. I use these to rest mushrooms on when i attach the tops to the stems. I pre bake the bases before the tops go on and this stops any movement from the mushrooms rolling on my baking tray. Mostly used to keeps the heads attached exactly as i want them and prevent the tops from becoming lopsided.

Dragon Bottles and Pumpkins.

2010-11-04T13:57:00.005Z

As promised, some photos of the mini's i've made this week. I still have a batch of candles to complete and hoping to show these tomorrow.
My fave are the dragon bottles and the new wonky ones... will call these wonkies or wobblies, lol, not sure yet!
I'll pop all these and the candles in my etsy shop Sunday evening. I'll pop back when i have time and add measurements. The pumpkins are bigger than what i normally make. I like the ones on their side best too!
Made candy canes too... dont have a clue why, lol.

Nikki xxx

Glenda, Julia, Susanna and Katies Etsy shops!

2010-11-03T22:30:00.007Z

I'm a bit late posting as promised. Had my laptop pinched by the boys to do their homework last night.
Tomorrow i will show some minis I've been working on myself this week. Included is my last batch of pumpkins for a little while. I've made some much bigger than my normal for a pumpkin patch and also a few more pots with cloth tops, leaves etc.
Also some new little potion bottles i need to make labels for and hoping they are done in the morning... fingers crossed!
Last week i didn't get much done because of my sore hand so haven't really achieved much! Got to work on being such a snail!

Here are four fab ladies each with an etsy shop and each with some beautiful Witch/Wizard minis.

Glenda at http://peppercornminis.blogspot.com/ has some wonderful miniatures that can be used for witches but also for a variety of other doll houses. I really love the little money pouches in her shop at the moment and the baskets are fantastic too.
I love the colours Glenda uses in everything she makes!
Glenda is from New Zealand.
Here's Glenda's etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/undancey

Julia at http://bearcabinminiatures.blogspot.com/has a mixed variety of witch miniatures in her etsy shop. Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bearcabinminiatures?ref=seller_info
Julia creates many of the creations alone but also joins forces with her husband for some of the items like the new range of beautiful furniture available at the moment.
Julia makes the most fantastic little cushions all hand stitched and stitched pictures in frames of owls and other Halloween/witch based minis.
I think the new range of rustic furniture can also be made to order.
Julia is UK based.

Susanna at http://glencroft.blogspot.com/
has some brilliant witch miniatures in her etsy shop, here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/suskita
I love the siamese twin pumpkins and the idea of them being joined!!! Susanna is from Helsinki, Finland.

Katie at http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.com/ has done so well in the last few weeks with her new etsy shop. So pleased for her! She hasnt asked me to post about her shop but thought i would because she has more fab new itesm available there. I love her blog posts and the enthusiasm she always shows and her work is so beautiful!
Heres Katie's shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Katiesclaycorner?ref=seller_info
Katie is from the United States.

Pixie Dust Miniatures - Caroline

2010-11-02T16:27:00.010Z

Later this evening i will do further posts covering other sellers on etsy. Got to go make tea now! If you would like to be included you can say so in a comment, or email. I know Glenda from peppercorn minis has asked me to post but unsure about anyone else. No rush if you are reading this a day later, i'll just create further posts.
Nikki xxx

Caroline from http://hummingbirdminiatures.blogspot.com/ and http://pixiedustminiatures.blogspot.com/ and http://carohomecrafts.blogspot.com/
makes the most beautiful miniatures which are available in her etsy shops. Please note Caroline has two shops and here is the first:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HummingbirdMiniature?ref=seller_info
Here's a few examples of the most beautiful Halloween treats. I really love Carolines work and these look delicious. I also love the photography and atmosphere created!

Here's a link to Carolines's other shop called Pixie Dust Miniatures:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixieDustMiniatures
Some absolutely fantastic mini's are available here, the quality of the work is outstanding and again i love the photography and atmosphere in each setting.

Here's Caroline looking absolutely stunning in her fairy outfit. On Carolines carohomecrafts blog you can watch a you tube video how the outfit was made.
Got to say i wish i looked this good in my own craft room. I normally have coffee rings up my cheeks, unbrushed hair and my pj's from the night before. Oh to be Glam!
Beautiful outfit and lovely lady too!

Debie's Mini's on Etsy.

2010-11-01T12:58:00.007Z

My friend Debie Lyons listed some new mini's on etsy last night. Some of the items listed have already sold, but there is still some fantastic creations available.
Here's Debie's blog: http://piskies-and-poppets.blogspot.com/

Here's Debie's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Debie123?ref=seller_info

And here's some of her fantastic amazing new work!

If anyone else would like me to blog about there etsy or ebay shop let me know by leaving a comment. Because this is a witch and wizard blog your shop/listings will need to be witch, wizard, fairy or magical based.
I'll list them together in one big post in a few days.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T13:42:00.002Z

Happy Halloween to all!!! Love Nikki xxx

Unable to sleep!

2010-10-28T01:52:00.005+01:00

I'm up at 2am (common nightly event for me).
Yesterday and today i wondered what everyone was going on about congratulating me on having a blog of note. Silly me thought they were just being nice.
Anyway, did some searching and found there is a reason to this and so here's the answer. http://blogsofnote.blogspot.com/ Thank you blogger for adding me!
I live in my own little bubble unaware of things going on out there and don't go much further than reading the blogs on my own blog list, my email and facebook.
Anyway, while at the site above i discovered blogger have their own blog and other blogs connected to them as follows.
Perhaps you all aready know about these sites, but thought i'd still share.

Blogger Status for finding out about current daily blogger issues: http://status.blogger.com/

Bloggers main blog for finding out anything new happening and and updates on features etc - You cant leave comments there however: http://buzz.blogger.com/

Known Issues - somewhat complicated and I'm too lazy to worry but here it is anyway: http://knownissues.blogspot.com/

Vote for product ideas/suggestions etc: http://productideas.appspot.com/#15/e=e828&t=2f433a

Blogs of note - A place to go for the daily blog of note and archive: http://blogsofnote.blogspot.com/

Blogger on twitter - I don't twitter: http://twitter.com/Blogger

Hope the links are useful.

Nikki xxx

Thank you Julie! xxx

2010-10-26T12:24:00.005+01:00

Julie at http://cottagekittyminiatures.blogspot.com/ sent a surprise Halloween gift which arrived today. Inside was the most beautiful scroll, but it wasn't until i put my glasses on while having a coffee i realised the scroll was about me and my pumpkins. Thank you Julie. It will go in my witches house when i rescue it from the loft and get to work on it again.
Alongside the scroll were some really cute conkers on strings. I'll hang these in the witches potion room too... i'm sure she would collect conkers!
Julie has some wonderful mini's in her etsy shop at the moment. Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecottagekitty
These owls are so cute!

BearCabin Mini's New Range!

2010-10-24T19:54:00.000+01:00

Julia and her Husband at http://bearcabinminiatures.blogspot.com/ have just listed a new woodland range in their etsy shop.
Here's their etsy shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bearcabinminiatures?ref=seller_info
Heres some pics. They are all sbolutely beautiful. Julia has filled the cupboards that her husband made

Etsy this evening.

2010-10-24T12:36:00.011+01:00

I don't really have anything new or much to list tonight. This week I've just not found the time and Friday i ached all over like i was getting flu and so slept most of the day, then the night, and until noon Saturday. Everyone else in the house has a really bad cold apart from me, but i just ache all over. I've also hurt my hand somehow and have it bandaged up. It's swollen from my thumb area right up to above my wrist and across the top of my hand and fatty area below my thumb. Don't have a clue how this happened and can only guess Ive done something in my sleep, lol. I cant even lift a cup.

Here's what i have available from 9pm UK time.

1 x candle bottle. I somehow didn't list all of these a few weeks ago and have just the 1 left.

Shelf and Curtains.
The curtains measure 22cm in length. The overall height from the tip of the tallest candle to the bottom of the curtains is 25cm.
The width of the shelf is 11.2cm, and the depth is 1.5cm

Fly Argaric mushrooms.
The smallest mushroom measures 1.2cm, the tallest measures 1.4cm.

Cloth top pumpkin pots with leaves. Pot A, D and E measure 1.4cm in height. Pot B and C measure 1.6cm in height.

Pumpkin pots with a face. Pot D and I are not available.
Pot a,b,c,e,f,g,h,j and k are available.
Each pot measures on average around 2.2cm in height.

Ten Christmas Tree Candles. They measure between 6cm to 7cm. I've secured green wire into each base so they can be easily attached to a tree.
These are not miniature.

Christmas candles and two shelves.

2010-10-22T11:59:00.006+01:00

I've not really achieved much this week. I've started lots but not as yet managed to finish much. This week i've lacked time and really struggling to be creative. Have a good feeling about next week though... fingers crossed!
I'm hoping to finish some pots this evening

Candles and potions curtain shelf. Really struggled to take good photos of this shelf, in particular the curtains. Please excuse the bad edges where i can not crop away the background. I need to make a bigger prop for taking photos.
This shelf will be in my etsy shop at the weekend

This shelf has already sold, but thought i would still share with you. I have another to fill and will make it similar to this one next week for my esty shop. I think the little pot on the right looks like Pete Doherty from the Libertines, lol.

Ten Christmas Tree decoration I made yesterday (not miniature). They measure between 6cm to 7cm. Ive secured green wire into each base so they can be easily attached to a tree. Will put these in my etsy shop at the weekend too.

I love making tree decorations. Here's a few i made last year for my own tree and as gifts.

Some new little pumpkin pots.

2010-10-19T15:37:00.003+01:00

Finished some more little pumpkin pots today. For size reference F measures 2.2cm in height.

All of these apart from two will be available in my etsy shop this coming weekend. One of the pots is for a lady that missed out due to a mistake by myself double listing, and the other is for a friend to pick from. But it still leaves 9 that will be available. Just got to wait which both the ladies prefer then will know what's left.

My candles have not worked this week as planned with the faces. I'll try and have another go in the next few days.
There will also be other pumpkin pots available (not with faces), and 1 of the window shelves with the dirty old curtains dressed for Halloween. Plus hoping to finish lots of other items if i find the time. Will post more photos later in the week.
Last week flew by and didn't get hardly anything made at all. Wish i knew where time went.

I'm taking part in a gift swap for Christmas at the moment and plan to start working on my idea tomorrow. I wish i could show you my drawings and the stages of doing so.
I'll take photos as i go along and final photos too, and will show sometime in December. Keeping everything crossed it works... so exciting!

Making more little pots!

2010-10-12T19:10:00.003+01:00

Had some good news today. My eldest son has been for a few interviews over the last two weeks, and today went for one with Microsoft in London. This is for an apprenticeship which are not easy to get in this area, with the companies interviewing hundreds of young adults and only taking a small percentage of those that apply. But today Microsoft have taken him on and couldn't be happier, not for me but for him. He was so disappointed last week after travelling to Portsmouth for a 6 hour assessment and in depth interview with another large company and was really deflated, but today he's on top of the world! Won't bore you with all the details but its a wonderful opportunity for him.
Try explaining to somebody how to use the tubes; really hard work. I was going to go with him and show how but didn't in the end. I know its daft but i don't half worry!

Today i've been working on more pumpkin pots, and also some more candles with faces.
Forgot to take a photo of the candles so far. I've made the bases for the candles and tomorrow hoping to get on with sculpting their faces, then the following day hoping to get these and the pumpkin pots painted.

I need to start putting little bits by For Kensington when i do the show again next spring. From now on not everything i show will be available for sale through etsy.
It will only be a small amount from everything i show i put away in the kensington box and will continue my etsy sales almost as normal. Because i need to sell in between now and the show i have to start being good and putting part of everything by. Plus i'm a snail so have to start this early, lol.

Off to get on with the pumpkins again!

Nikki xxx

Katies New etsy shop.

2010-10-11T19:07:00.005+01:00

My friend Katie at http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.com/ has just opened her etsy shop today.
Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Katiesclaycorner

Katies frist item for sale is a beautiful set of handmade wooden signs.

Hoping you have lots of sales Katie!

Something i forgot to say! Lol

2010-10-08T19:27:00.004+01:00

When i listed the blood dripping candles a few weeks ago i forgot to say they glow in the dark too. Daft old me forgot because i was in such a rush doing too many things at once and it skipped my mind.
The photo below is from my test candle experiments trying to find out what worked best for the drips, so don't look too close.
This glow is just for the blood candles.

Nikki xxx

Time and etsy this evening!

2010-10-08T08:33:00.015+01:00

Today i have had a few requests to purchase some of these minis before i list them on etsy. I am unable to do so because Ive already said in previous posts and this post all that is pictured will be listed this evening, so don't want to let people down.
I will make some more pumpkin pots with the faces and also some of the others that have had a lot of interest, plus some more skele bottles, candles with faces and items like that from last week. Will make these again in the next few weeks.
I'm not keen on commission work because I'm not very reliable with sticking to a time plan and prefer to make on a whim. I have promised a few people i will remake some items they missed but from now on can not take on any commissions.
I like to be free really to work with the materials i have and make on impulse.
Plus i have a terrible memory, even when i take notes, lol and get in a right pickle rembering what's what and who is who.

Thank you for all your replies as the best time to list Mini's. From what everyone says 9pm UK time seems about right. I'll try and list on Sunday evenings in the future but for now will stick to tonight for these listings.
I can't do Saturday evenings because X Factor is on that night (love it) and i also use Saturday night to snooze in front of TV with my blanket and pj's. Not a couch potato but Saturday night i book up the tv and get to hold the remote, lol. The kids and my husband are so selfish with the TV and hate me holding the controller... so book my slot!

Onto Mini's.

Will list 9pm UK this evening (Friday) and will pop back later to add more photos.

Pumpkins with faces A to G

Set A

Set B

Set C

Pumpkin Candles - 3 per set - I have 4 sets in total. They measure on average around 1cm in width.

Round bottom pumpkin pots A to C

Pumpkin pots with leaves.

Pumpkin pots A to F

Cloth top pumpkin jars with labels.

Sleeping Pumpkin

All sorted... for now!

2010-10-08T00:56:00.003+01:00

Blog is all sorted for now and half way through it's clean up! Just got to find some time in the next few days to organise links and tutorials in the sidebar, then add some new ones too.
Looks a little more pro now, lol... at least it gives that impression... kind of!
I've noticed on the blogss for people that sell their work they keep things simple, so thought I'd give it a go too. Think i was all higglety pigglety before (did i spell that right). But i do miss the little witch and pumpkins!
Had this vision... i have many, that I'd smarten everything up and somehow be able to sort the banner images myself. As for what size such things should be do not have a clue, tried several, actually about 30 but not one would fit!
What do you think?

Also, and you mustn't laugh, but going to work on making no typos from now on, doing the spell check, forming better sentences, bla bla bla! Promise!

Nikki xxx

Naughty but loved pumpkin pots. And etsy tomorrow evening too!

2010-10-07T16:17:00.009+01:00

These pots have been so naughty, but much loved through their creation. Every single stage of making them has had it problems, could have thrown them in the bin many times but carried on determined they would come right... they did!
I wont tell you the struggles they have been through, the list is too long, but even now they are refusing to show up right on the camera... done my best!

The tallest pot with a face measures 2.2cm... just under an inch.

The tallest non face pot measures 2.4cm, and the smallest 1.3cm

Which gets me to thinking why is it in the mini world everyone uses inches for scale.
In architectural terms an inch would never be used when scaling down, it would all be done in millimeters. So the measurements above would be 22mm, 24mm and 13mm.
It really baffles me and always wonder why, maybe somebody knows the reason.
If for example i'd drawn up plans for a building and went along with inches i'd be laughed off the building site so really puzzled by it. It doesnt offer precise measurements and all the modern bulding would be all out wit nothing butting up, and sitting right with this system, lol.

Will have all these and those from yesterday available in my etsy shop tomorrow evening. Will let you know tomorrow the time.

A question? If you are in a completely different time zone to the uk, such as New Zealand or the United States can you let me know the best time for lisitng here in the UK. Im happy to list anytime and if possible will try and time listing to these two zones. Maybe find a happy medium.
Last week i had so many people from these two zones say they missed out on a few items they like because it was still somewhere in the middle of the night, too early in the morning and so on.
Im not very good with numbers (count on fingers and toes) so could you work it out and let me know in UK times.

Bad pics! Not much made really!

2010-10-05T17:39:00.008+01:00

Tomorrow i'll try and take some better photos of what I've made so far this week. It's not much and still have lots to finish.
The pumpkin jars on the top shelf, left side as you are looking measure between 2cm and 3cm in total height. The round bottom pumpkin jars measure 2cm to 2.5cm in total height. The round pumpkin pots on the bottom shelf measure 1.4cm and 1.8cm in total height.
I really love them and wish i could take a nicer photo, but its dusk here so will have to wait for the morning.
The little labels i have made myself and hand painted. The pumpkin design is sooooo tiny and amazed i manged to make them. Some of the labels i have not finished painting so dont look to close.
The tiny little pumpkin candles measure around 1cm in width. They were so fiddly to make too.
The pumpkins with the cocktail sticks in are about to be coloured, should hopefully have that done this evening. They have already had 5 coats each of their base colour. Takes me an entire day to paint them in sequence, wait an hour or two then the next coat. Ive tried every way possible so i dont have to do all these coats, but they never look as good, so just have to be patient and get the look i like this way. The final part of the painting doesn't take quite as long and can do each one at a time u ntil complete. I love this part and seeing them come to life. I might make these into pots too, although undecided as yet. For the moment they are saying pots to me. They are a little bigger than the pots that are finished.

Hoping to have everything ready in a few days and will let you know when I'm going to list on etsy. There could be other items if i mage to finish them. Just not had time to make much.
All that's here i will be listing.

Nikki xxx

New Questions and Answers Blog by Susan (Tabs)

2010-10-02T19:00:00.004+01:00

My friend Susan at http://tabithacorsica.blogspot.com/ has taken over the question and answer blog
The question and answer blog i created has now been fully copied over to Susan's new blog. Here is the link: http://asktabithaminiaturequestionandanswer.blogspot.com/
Susan has edited and copied over into several posts all the information and comments.
On Sunday a new post will be published now it's in Susan's very capable hands.
Thank you so much for taking this over Susan, and also a big thank you for saving all the info and comments and all your hard work in doing so.
You can still enter comments in the older posts, but those moved from mine are in the actual posts because it was the only way Susan could fully save what was on the old blog after the move.

Here's Susan's new blog again: http://asktabithaminiaturequestionandanswer.blogspot.com/

Will also publish this on the old blog and leave it there for a few days before i fully delete.

Some of my work in Aim.

2010-10-02T10:47:00.006+01:00

I've been waiting patiently for this months edition of the free imag from Artisans in Miniature to go online. Woke up this morning ever so excited to check again if it was ready. I knows it's daft because Ive seen my own work many times but to see it presented elsewhere is a real treat!
Here's the link to the site: http://www.artisansinminiature.com/ Click on the magazine image from this month once there.
Because of the time of year its full to the brim with work displaying various mini's based around Halloween, Witch's, Wizards and Fairies. There's some great artists in there... check it out!
You can also use the archive to look at previous issues once there too. I loved one of the tutorials in last months issue for creating a basket by Vicky Guile. Its a great tutorial and will be using it myself when i find the time.

Possible new person for the Question and Answer blog.

2010-09-29T13:55:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know somebody has come forward with an interest in taking over the question and answer blog. Here's the link to it: http://miniaturequestionandanswer.blogspot.com/
I will keep you informed when and if the new person takes this over, and give details to the new one, when the new person has copied it all over.

Nikki xxx

Styrofoam Hollow Pumpkin

2010-09-28T10:51:00.005+01:00

For what seems like forever I'd been searching for a large hollow pumpkin i could use and turn into a miniature house. Luckily one of my customer at etsy advised and pointed me in the right direction on ebay.
So i put my bid in and won... i never win anything so was really shocked!
The second it arrived i didn't even think what i really wanted it to be, and got to work cutting out a large hole at the front with the intention of making it into a pumpkin growers house or something along those lines. Again not really knowing what.
Once all cut out and sanded etc, i then decided to totally change my mind and ended up gluing it all back together. Now it looks like a really sad pumpkin without the stalk at the top, and feeling quite sad for the poor thing, lol.
So I've decided, once Ive tidied it all up and created new sides, I'll cut it clean in half, create a stalk both side that meet when the pumpkin is closed, and join the two parts together with hinges so it opens and closes.
Inside i'll make the walls look like the inside of a real pumpkin, and then line each side with wooden shelves and use for a display when i finally do my next show.
Inside I'll display anything pumpkin related and just wish now i had not totally destroyed it because now theres a lot more work to do.
The pumpkin is around 11 inches in height and the exterior looks real. The stalk did too but can not show you that because i chucked it away.
I know these are widely available in the states but here in the UK i have not seen them for sale. They really are lovely and thought i'd share incase anyone else is looking for one and unable to find. Just type in Styrofoam hollow pumpkin in your search. Last time i looked on ebay there were a few available still.

Thank you to everyone for your support and thoughts in the previous post.
Tomorrow i will be deleting that post because i don't like it here on my blog. I believe in standing up and not hiding away and although glad i have blogged about this subject i feel leaving it there spoils the look and feel to my pages. Just wanted to bring it to everyones attention and so tomorrow will delete.

Burning clay! Etsy and Thank you too.

2010-09-24T13:37:00.003+01:00

Im meant to be listing a few items on etsy this evening like promised, but unable to now.
I'd popped the last few little minis in the oven for a long final bake, plus some half sculpted minis, and then left them to cool in there once the oven was turned off. Such a stupid thin to do that, leaving them to cool! My son came along while i was upstairs sorting out my mount everest washing piles (not really achieving much with those piles) and turned the oven on too cook a pizza. Could have screamed at him, but really he wasnt to know they were in there cooling.
So im going to treat myself to a mini oven just for clay to prevent any more burning.

Thank you to everyone that purchased minis from me last night. Took me ages to list everyhting because my pictures were struggling to upload, so thank you for your patience. Plus had the biggest headache ever and was so struggling to actually see the screen. Much better now after a mega sleep.

Nikki xxx

Close ups for this evening!

2010-09-23T18:23:00.013+01:00

Today my internet connection is not too great again, and also having problems here at blooger uploading pictures. Aplogies for the delay in showing close up pictures.
Really pleased with how different my work looks when phtographed against a background and will be using it from now on.

Here's all that im listing from 9pm.

Bottle Candles.

Pumpkin Teapots.

Pumpkin Pot - I have 6 of these for sale.

Pumpkin Patch B

Pumpkin Patch A

Gourd Birdhouse - Has a little hanger on the back to attatch to trees etc.

Skele bottles - Have 10 of these.

Rejects/Seconds - The dragon jar has a little crack, the glass marble pumpkin and pumpkin jar i'm not happy with.

Pumpkin Candles

Face Candles

Jar Set B

Jar Set A

Candles K

Candles J

Candles I

Candles H

Candles G

Candles F

Candles E

Candles D

Candles C

Candles B

Candles A

Set C

Set B

Set A

Mini's for etsy this evening!

2010-09-23T12:45:00.004+01:00

Decided to arrange and take photos in a new way from now on, hope you like the new idea! Got to say though i banned anyone from even walking into the room incase the candles fell over, which of course they did, lol.
Will be listing all of these from 9pm UK time this evening, and should hopefully have them all listed by 10pm.
Tomorrow evening same time i'll list a further two sets of the new botles showing here. Ran out of time to get them finished today.#

Nikki xxx

Unable to list on etsy this evening.

2010-09-21T09:06:00.003+01:00

This evening i will not be able to list on etsy as promised.
My laptop is playing up and can not guarantee I'll be able to keep an internet conection. My son is going to sort this for me today and possibly tomorrow, so will now list on Thursday evening instead.
Sorry about this but can't be helped. My computer is also jam packed and really struggling so its off to his bedroom for a revamp, lol.
Fingers crossed Thursday will be ok.

Nikki xxx

Halloween minis almost ready for etsy

2010-09-19T15:55:00.006+01:00

On Tuesday evening and probably Friday too i will be listing some Halloween mini's. The same day i'll post individual pictures here and further detail
Some of these still need little bits doing, such as eyes and a bit more painting, so don't look too close.

I'm also working on some other ideas and plan on making some teapots suitable for Halloween. Just need to think up ideas for those. The pumpkin candles i really love and hopefully will have more of those ready soon. Two of the curtains sets are going to be filled with candles and available this week, the other I'm keeping by while i think what to do with it.
Here's a picture of some planned bottles. Ive so far made ten of the candle bottles and really pleased with them. Working on the others and finding out which work and which don't at the moment.

At the moment i have so much clay that i don't know what to do with it all. Ideas for small items made from clay are ever so welcome.
I'm trying to build up lots of small items for kensington while still selling some o etsy, and its great to know what buyers are looking for and like. I'm not doing the Christmas show this year, but will be there for the three day show next May and then Christmas 2011. Seems ages preparing for May, but need to start putting by and thinking up what to make.

Nikki xxx

Treats, gifts and birthday presents!

2010-09-14T18:33:00.017+01:00

It's been ages since my birthday and have kept meaning to take photos ever since. Found the time today.

My lovely husbands present was face cream, eye creams, cleansers and scrubs etc, plus a day of being pampered, and actually walking around craft, beauty and book shops with me, followed by my favourite carrot cake.

Found this pic online somewhere, seemed suitable for the face creams, lol.

More pictures to follow - stlll having blogger and comp problems.
Having to add bit by bit

My friend Lisa from the States sent me the biggest parcel ever full of mixed craft materials for my birthday. Then a few days later the beautiful sculpting set arrived.
The parcel arrived a few days before my birthday and decided to wait until the day.
Opening the parcel was like Christmas morning as a child, and Patrick my middle son whom is ever so nosey joined in. It was so exciting not knowing what was to be found! Patrick had no patience and did so in a hurry, while i was carefully looking at everything... in amazement!
I'm still in shock at how much Lisa sent and love everything! Thank you so much Lisa for your friendship and kind heart. xxx
I don't think I'll ever run out of clay in a whole life time now!
Lisa makes the table runners and i now have 3 in my collection. This ones for christmas and love it! I wish i had these skills!

Gifts from Michelle at http://wwwmichellesmadworld.blogspot.com/
Michelle put this package together for me towards the hat tables i love to make, plus some fibres for felting too. Michelle you are such a treasure and thank you so much! xxx There is nothing i can not use and love everything!

Gifts from NickyCC at http://nickycc.blogspot.com/
I met Nicky at Miniatura over a year ago, and only recently have been chatting through Facebook. Nicky is so lovely and one of the nicest people i've ever met. So happy she is now a friend too.
The merino woll is beautiful and so soft. I've already used some to make mini blankets. There should also be a blue one in the picture but forgot it was in my felting box while taking the photo.
The little birds are so cute ad will go in my witch house... one day i will owrk on it again.

Gifts from my dear friend Kat the Hat. The mannequin is beautiful and has inspired me to make some witch and fairy clothes. Spent a lot of time recently looking at fashion and fairy couture, and have some wonderful ideas in my head. Just hope what's in there works!
Thank you so much Kat! xxx

Treats to myself from some birthday money!

My old sewing machine broke, and can not be fixed, so treated myself to a basic machine in hobbycraft. They are half price there at the moment for £20 and there were loads left last time i visited the shop.
Its ever so basic and does just the one running stitch but perfect for mini sewing. Plus its nice and compact and not heavy.
Really doesn't look much, but it sews like a dream, although a little slower than a good quality machine. Its perfect for my minimal sewing needs and pleased with it.
Bought lots of new brushes, inks, clay, materials, dyes and even some cards. Hoping to make some Halloween cards with mini decorations attached.

Treated myself to this beautiful fairy tea set by Lory at http://www.etsy.com/shop/64tnt?ref=seller_info

Bits and bobs i've made this week

2010-09-14T13:32:00.004+01:00

Just a few little things i've made this week. Not much really but thought i'd share.

Blood dripping candles.

Pumpkin pots.

Really happy with these candles. Those with the face still need their eyes.
Going to make more of these to add to the curtains attached to a shelf.

Marsha's Christmas ornament exchange.

2010-09-12T01:56:00.003+01:00

Marsha over at http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/ is organising a Christmas ornament exchange.
Sounds like fun and so joining in myself. Kind of hoping i get a witchy partner so i can make a spooky dec, but if not then i'm sure i can do pretty.
If you would like to join in pop on over there for more info and to be partnered up.
Here's Marshas blog: http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/

You will have to go down the page a little for the blog post. I'm quite a few days late posting this.

My friends witch hats. Timber Ridge Studio cauldrons

2010-09-06T16:00:00.009+01:00

My dear friend Kat the Hat is now lisitng her beautiful creations on ebay again, while still selling at etsy too.
Here's Kats ebay link: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/avielon/

And etsy link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/katthehatlady

Kat's blog: http://katthehatlady.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Halloween hat by Kat.

Another friend Ronni at Timber Ridge Studio is now stocking porcelain cauldrons and pots perfect for witch and wizard scenes. These are new to the shop and love them!
Heres the shop link: http://www.trs240.com/index.html
Here's the porcelain page: http://www.trs240.com/mini_unpainted_porcelain_ceramic.html

I've bought several porcelain items from Ronni and the quality is wonderful, alongside the porcelain being ever so strong and impossible to break for one as clumsy as myself.
They can be painted as you choose with acrylics/glazes, or even fired, but can also be left as they are.
The cauldron is one size, but the pots come in various sizes and are perfect for stoves and potions. Metal handles can be added to them too.
Ronni stocks some other wonderful porcelain items such as tea sets, plates and vases alongside mini decals, glass, seashells etc.

Thank you and my Mum's felting.

2010-09-05T20:04:00.006+01:00

Thank you to everyone yesterday that sent birthday wishes. Had a lovely day, lovely gifts and lots of treats. I'll post pics later in the week.

My Mum loved her own birthday presents, but she also fell in love with the bag i finished a few weeks ago. So today i taught her to wet felt and needle felt.
Half way through she grew bored and went for a nap, so i finished it for her.
I suppose it's not for everyone and so couldn't resist finishing it while she slept.
I'll try and take better photos in natural light tomorrow.
Its a clutch bag by the way.